Triton XIV, Lot: 1422. Estimate $5000. Sold for $4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

ITALY, Venezia (Venice). Domenico Contarini. 1659-1675. AR Osella (37mm, 9.80 g, 9h). Dated Year 3 (1661). S M V DOMIN CONT D G DVX, St. Mark enthroned right before Doge kneeling left, holding banner between them; T B in exergue / VOLVNT HOC PIGNORE IVNGI, Victory standing right and Pax standing left, holding branch with three flowers between them; A III in exergue. CNI VIII 306; Paolucci 144. Choice EF, toned.

In the middle of the 17th century, Venice, like other nations in Europe, faced the growing threat of Turkish expansion from the East. In its role as a major naval power in the Aegean Sea, Venice was on the front lines of this threat. Complicating matters, however, was the ongoing struggle among Western nations for control of northern Italy. France, Spain, and the Habsburgs, among others, aggressively intervened in a series of Italian succession disputes, which saw the creation and dissolution of numerous alliances among the powers. This meant that Venice had to contend not only with the Turks, but also with protecting its interests within Italy’s turbulent political climate. This beautiful osella commemorates the donation of aid from the Western nations to Venice during a brief period of peace, which allowed Venice to attempt to recapture some of its lost territory from the Turks.